Raising public awareness through campaigns and community engagement to combat corruption (MEBAR0001)

Commitment ID

MEBAR0001

Commitment Title

Raising public awareness through campaigns and community engagement with the aim of combating corruption particuarly in procurement

Problem

In order to combat potentially corrupt practices, it is necessary to engage all relevant actors in the fight against corruption, with a special focus on specific areas such as public procurement policy.

The lack of adequate solutions in this part affects the quality of access to the implementation of public procurement, which can negatively affect the trust of citizens and businesses in institutions and provide an equal access point to social resources for all citizens of the Municipality of Bar.

Status quo

The public procurement system in Montenegro is regulated by the Law on Public Procurement and the accompanying laws and institutional framework that includes the Ministry of Finance. Relevant institutions in the system are the Commission for the Protection of Rights in Public Procurement Procedures, the Directorate for Inspection Affairs – Public Procurement Inspection, and the Cadastre and State Property Administration (as a state administration body responsible for the implementation of centralized public procurement).

On January 1, 2021, the first electronic public procurement system in Montenegro - CEJN - was launched. This system enables the implementation and monitoring of all phases in procurement procedures - from the planning phase to the contract implementation phase. The introduction of CEJN means the exclusive use of information and communication technologies, which must be widely available to all economic operators and in this respect, there must be no restrictions, i.e. Any kind of discrimination against the participants.

It is commendable that a number of internal acts on public procurement procedures have been published on the contracting authority's website, including the risk methodology and internal instructions on the implementation of public procurement procedures, however, there are no elaborated, or at least not publicly published, methods of risk prevention in the contract execution phase, although this phase is assessed as a medium level of risk.

Action

• Conducting an informative and educational campaign on anti-corruption, along with an expert panel discussion on recognizing and preventing corruption at the local level, aligns closely with the principles of open government.
• The open government emphasizes transparency in governance. By educating the public about corruption and its impacts, we empower citizens to hold their leaders accountable.
• Engaging the community through campaigns and discussions encourages active participation in governance. When citizens are informed, they are more likely to engage in civic activities, report corruption, and advocate for integrity in public services.
• Transparency initiatives help build trust between the government and its citizens. When people see that their government is committed to fighting corruption, it enhances their confidence in public institutions.
• Educational campaigns equip citizens with the knowledge to recognize corrupt practices. This empowerment is crucial for grassroots movements against corruption, enabling individuals to take action in their communities.
• Organizing expert panel discussions brings together diverse perspectives and expertise. This collaboration can lead to innovative solutions and strategies for corruption prevention, tailored to local contexts.
• These activities can help establish and promote ethical standards within local governance. Addressing corruption at the local level is essential for sustainable development.

How will the commitment contribute to solving the public problem described above?

• Prevention of corruption: reduced possibility of corrupt practices in the municipality, leading to better allocation of resources, improved service delivery and increased public trust.
• Increased accountability: By increasing transparency and accountability, the obligation seeks to hold public officials and institutions accountable for their actions, reducing the opportunities for corruption. 
• Engaged citizens: With increased access to information and opportunities to participate in the monitoring of public procurement, citizens will be more engaged in civic activities, fostering a sense of ownership in the development of the municipality.

What long-term goal as identified in your Open Government Strategy does this commitment relate to?

The commitment to develop and implement an action plan for the fight against corruption in the Municipality of Bar refers to the long-term goal of promoting transparency and accountability. Transparency and accountability are key components of open governance and are closely linked to the objectives of the commitment. Through measures such as regulatory reforms, transparency platforms, whistleblower protection, and enhanced oversight, this commitment aims to promote greater transparency in the work of institutions. Transparency, in turn, encourages increased accountability among public officials. Ultimately, this commitment contributes to the broader vision of open government by creating an environment in which the actions of institutions are visible and accountable to citizens. It seeks to build public trust, actively involve citizens in governance, and ensure that public resources are used for the betterment of the community. In this way, it works towards the broader goal of establishing a transparent, accountable, and participatory government that serves the interests of the citizens it represents.

Primary Policy Area

Audits & Controls, Conflicts of Interest

Primary Sector

Public Services (general)

What OGP value is this commitment relevant to?